CFB: USD Powering Through Summer

With the college football season just around the corner for USD, the team is trying to make some noise. According to coaches, the Coyotes are setting new records in the weight room and hope upping their physical play will lead to a better record in 2013 than the 1-10 mark of 2012.

It's clear no Yote is looking to repeat last year's disappointing season. That's why players, led by Preseason All-American linebacker Tyler Starr, are doing everything they can off the field to turn things around in what will be their second year under Coach Joe Glenn.

"I feel real good about what we've got, a little commitment going on, 'Band of Brothers.' They're all wearing the band. I'm understanding if somebody doesn't walk the chalk line like they want to, they take their band away until they start walking the chalk line a little bit better. Sounds like they've got it going on and they want something really badly," Glenn said.

On top of getting stronger, a focus on acceleration has come into play as well. Speedy quarterback Josh Vander Maten can already get up field, but even he's a bit quicker these days. With a year under his belt, the team will likely rise and fall with his success and failure.

"I'm inspired by the fact that we have a second year starting quarterback in Josh Vander Maten just over here from Northwest, IA. He ran a 4.3 40 the other day for us and he's bigger stronger and faster. I'm saying right now, he's the fastest guy on the team," Glenn said.

He'll need to be smarter too, especially if he's without senior running back Jasper Sanders. Sanders hurt his wrist in the gym recently.

"They did a little work on it. He's in a cast and we're just not sure yet how much time it will take to get that thing healed. Then, when they do get it healed, how much more time he has before he can have contact and those type of things," Glenn said.

No decision on Sanders has been made yet. He still has a redshirt year available.